Drivers, take heed
Seventy years ago, with a letter to The Inquirer, my grandfather started a campaign for safe driving with this slogan: "Live to Enjoy Another Drive." He conspicuously posted a card with the slogan inside his car and encouraged "neophyte drivers who might be inclined to step on the gas resulting ofttimes in serious injury" to take similar caution.
The slogan is completely relevant today, especially to drivers distracted by multitasking. Many of us have been on the cell phone or even text messaging while driving and thinking to ourselves that this just isn't sensible. Seeing my teenage daughter, a newly minted driver, going to her car juggling a slice of pizza, a cup from Starbucks, a cell phone, and an iPod brought back painful memories of earlier avoidable accidents. The driver's seat has been replaced by a deadly traveling sofa.
Tape this timeless slogan to your teenager's dashboard, or your own.
-- JOHN W. BUCHANAN, Hamilton Square NJ
JohnWBuchanan17@aol.com
When driving, take it one thing at a time Banning cell-phone use for teen drivers has become a hot topic. But are legislated solutions effective? Seventy years ago, my grandfather started a media campaign for safe driving, with the slogan: "Live to Enjoy Another Drive." He conspicuously posted a card with the slogan inside his car and encouraged "neophyte drivers who might be inclined to step on the gas resulting ofttimes in serious injury" to take similar caution.
The slogan is completely relevant today, especially to drivers distracted by multitasking. Many of us have been on the cell phone or have even done text messaging while driving and thinking to ourselves that it just isn't sensible. Seeing my teenage daughter, a newly minted driver, going to her car juggling a slice of pizza, cup of coffee, her cell phone and an iPod brought back painful memories of earlier avoidable accidents. Unfortunately, the driver's seat is being replaced by a deadly traveling sofa. According to World Clock, more than a million people die per year the world over due to traffic accidents, with multi-tasking drivers increasing the frequency of accidents. Perhaps more effective than any legislated solution, let's take the time to tape the timeless, positive slogan on our teenager's dashboard. Or maybe even on our own.
Live to Enjoy Another Drive - Related Links:
Speak up against Reckless Driving: http://www.urthespokesperson.org/
World Clock: http://www.peterrussell.dreamhosters.com/Odds/WorldClock.php
California bans cell-phone use for teen drivers: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20776386/
Laws target teen drivers' cellphones, text messages: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2007-09-10-teen-cellphone_N.htm
In-vehicle technology: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-13/driver-distraction/Topics013010325.htm
Multi-tasking and driving don't mix: http://www.research.vt.edu/resmag/ResearchMagJan06/multitask.html
Drive to Live Campaign - NC http://www.insurancejournal.com/comments/?a=/news/southeast/2007/12/18/85743.htm&c=89980
Very sad story-Melanie - multi-tasking death http://www.insurancejournal.com/comments/?a=/news/southeast/2007/12/18/85743.htm&c=89991
Live to Enjoy Another New Year (Naperville, Ill): http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/opinions/712720,6_4_NA26_EDITORIAL_S1.article
Check out my HomePage:
http://www.JohnBuchanan.us/
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Brothers Pizza, Hamilton NJ (for dashboard or windshield stickers)
Windshield or Dashboard sticker application and usage:
1) If applying to windshield (easier) select area out of normal vision. If applying to dashboard, avoid cushy surfaces. Above radio or vents is good.
2) Remove waxy paper from one side of sticker, exposing sticky letters.
3) Work from one end of strip of letters to the other, carefully pressing each letter onto surface. May take a few minutes - don't rush it. May end up reversing side you start from. Make sure to dot your "i's"!
4) Glance at occasionally while driving to resist the urge to pick up your cell phone and text message!!
5) Live to Enjoy Another Drive
www.LiveToEnjoyAnotherDrive.com
Hamilton, NJ
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